Tamron Di III 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD
Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES35100 35-100mm
What Buyers Say
Tamron Di III 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD
The Tamron 18-300mm F/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD is widely praised as a versatile all-in-one zoom for Sony APS-C cameras. Users love the incredible 16.6x range, close focusing at the wide end, and solid image quality, though some note softness beyond 70-80mm and slow autofocus. The lens is heavier than typical crop-sensor lenses but still considered portable. A few verified buyers report issues with sharpness at the telephoto end and a stiff zoom ring, but the majority find it an excellent walk-around lens that replaces multiple primes and zooms.
Pros
- Incredible 16.6x zoom range
- Close focusing at wide end (semi-macro)
- Good image quality and color rendition
- Solid build with weather sealing
- Effective vibration compensation (VC)
Cons
- Softness beyond 70-80mm
- Slow autofocus compared to smaller zooms
- Heavy and bulky for APS-C
- Stiff zoom ring when zooming out
- Moderate distortion at both ends
Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES35100 35-100mm
This lens is highly praised for its sharpness, compact size, and constant f/2.8 aperture, making it an excellent travel and run-and-gun lens for Micro Four Thirds shooters. Video users appreciate the micro-step aperture control and linear focus option on newer bodies, though some report micro-jitter at the long end. Overall, it is seen as a versatile workhorse that pairs well with Lumix and Olympus cameras.
Pros
- Sharp image quality
- Compact and lightweight design
- Constant f/2.8 aperture
- Internal zoom and focus
- Weather-sealed construction
Cons
- Micro-jitter at long end in video
- O.I.S. not compatible with Olympus bodies
- Focus-by-wire may not suit all users
Scores
Specifications
| Tamron Di III 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD | Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES35100 35-100mm | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | zoom | zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 18 mm | 35 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 300 mm | 100 mm |
| Elements | 19 | 18 |
| Groups | 5 | 13 |
| Aspherical Elements | 3★ | 1 |
| ED Elements | 4★ | 3 |
| Coating | Fluorine Coating | Nano Surface Coating |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/3.5 | f/2.8 |
| Min Aperture | 3.5-6.3 | f/2.8 |
| Constant | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7 | 7 |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Sony E | Micro Four Thirds |
| Format | APS-C★ | micro-four-thirds |
| Weather Sealed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Weight | 0.62 kg | 0.36 kg★ |
| Filter Thread | 67 mm | 58 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | VXD | Autofocus |
| Stabilization | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stabilization Stops | — | 2.5 stops★ |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 150 mm★ | 850 mm |
| Max Magnification | 1:2 | 1:10 |
Pros & Cons
Tamron Di III 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD
- Strong versatility (99th percentile)99th %ile
- Strong optical (95th percentile)95th %ile
- Strong macro (89th percentile)89th %ile
- Strong stabilization (81st percentile)81st %ile
Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES35100 35-100mm
- Strong optical (90th percentile)90th %ile
- Strong aperture (87th percentile)87th %ile
- Strong bokeh (85th percentile)85th %ile
- Strong build (80th percentile)80th %ile
Pricing
Tamron Di III 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD offers 2.3x better value for money
Verdict
Scores 92 overall, wins 5 of 9 usage categories and 4 of 22 specs.
